The Formula 1 world is abuzz with speculation that Max Verstappen could move to Mercedes in 2026. This rumour was fuelled by   Sky Italia   , which reported that the four-time world champion had agreed terms with the Silver Arrows. However, a recent revelation from Sky F1 journalist Craig Slater, citing a source close to Red Bull, highlighted the financial hurdle to such a move. According to Slater, a severance package of over £100 million would be required to release Verstappen from his contract, which runs until 2028. Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, has confirmed this exorbitant sum, further fuelling speculation about a move away from Red Bull. This news raises questions about Verstappen’s future and the dynamics within Red Bull and Mercedes.

Verstappen’s current season at Red Bull has been mixed, particularly after the Austrian Grand Prix, where a collision with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli led to the Dutchman’s retirement. With a 61-point deficit to World Championship leader Oscar Piastri and McLaren’s technical advantage, unrest is growing within Red Bull. According to   Sporza   , Mercedes are in “exploratory discussions” with Verstappen, whose contract includes two performance-related release clauses. If he is not in the top three in the Drivers’ Championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix, or if Red Bull does not finish in the top four in the Constructors’ Championship, Verstappen could walk away for nothing. Verstappen is currently third, nine points ahead of George Russell, and Red Bull are fourth, meaning these clauses are not currently activated.

If Verstappen were to respect those limits, a release clause would be inevitable. Slater reported on   Sky Sports   that someone close to Red Bull had mentioned a figure “in the upper nine figures”, well above £100m. “There is an internal discussion at Red Bull about losing Verstappen or keeping him unhappy,” Slater said. “Do we force things or do we come to an agreement, like in football, where if a player wants to leave, he usually leaves?” Jos Verstappen confirmed the financial hurdle, highlighting the complexity of a transfer. Inappropriate posts, such as this one from @CRASH_NET_F1, highlight the size of the fee, while @GPFansNL suggests Red Bull implemented the clause to keep Verstappen, given his value to the team.

The situation within Red Bull is tense. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner played down the rumours to   Motorsport.com   , stating that “the rest is just noise and not coming from us”. However, Horner hinted at a possible “gentlemen’s agreement” solution, as is often the case in football, should Verstappen insist on leaving. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko warned on   AMuS   that a disgruntled Verstappen could harm the team’s dynamic, especially after recent internal tensions, including Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin, as reported by   Racecar-engineering.com   . This instability is fuelling speculation that Verstappen, who has been in Toto Wolff’s sights since 2014, is seriously considering a move to Mercedes.

At Mercedes, the question arises as to who would be Verstappen’s teammate. George Russell, with five wins and a recent one in Canada, is a logical choice, but his contract expires in 2025. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian, is considered a future star, with a pole position in Miami and a podium in Canada. In an interview with   Crash.net   on July 3, 2025, on the eve of the British Grand Prix, Antonelli said: “There are a lot of things happening, but my goal is to give my best. I know the team trusts me.” He denied any discussions with other teams and stressed his loyalty to Mercedes: “Mercedes gave me this opportunity. I’m very happy where I am.”

The choice between Russell and Antonelli is crucial for Mercedes, especially with the new 2026 regulations potentially giving the team an advantage.   Motorsport-total.com   suggests that Russell is considered a “finished product” while Antonelli represents a long-term investment. Unscrupulous publications such as @F1insider have speculated that Mercedes may want to keep both drivers, but Verstappen’s arrival could overshadow Antonelli’s development, as Marko has warned. While rumours are rife, Verstappen remains silent, leaving the Formula 1 world to watch anxiously as this financial and strategic dilemma evolves.